WHAT IS THE HOUSE OF GOD?

   "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house; and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. "(1)" But Christ as a son over his house, whose house are we, if we hold firmly till the end the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope. "(2)

   "For I mean not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that at this time, with equality your abundance may be a supply for their want, that also their abundance may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality, as it is written. he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack "(3

   "For as in one body we have many members, but not all members have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually members of one another." (4) "to we no longer be children, tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men in their deceitful craftiness the wiles of error, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head, even that is, Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament help each other, according to the proper working of each individual part, grows and builds itself in love. "(5)

   "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be ye not therefore partakers with them. Because you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), proving what is pleasing to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them; For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But all things, when they are exposed by the light are made manifest; because light is what makes manifest. Wherefore he saith, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine. Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord. "(6)

   Under no circumstances any steward of the grace of God has the right to appropriate economic resources of the Church, as they should be for the Church, or to the welfare and development of the community of believers in Christ.

    (1 ) Mal.3.10; (2) He.3.6 (3) 2-Co.8.13-15; (4) Ro.12.4-5; (5) Ef.4.14-16; (6) Eph. 5.6-17